Hunber 38/40 Fred booker marine information please

[jeni]

Hi all

We are new to this site and own a Humber 40 1989 and our friends are just buying a 38

If anyone out there has any info or owns a Humber please let me know - we have lots of manuals missing and would love to sort out some of the little niggles etc

We also need new doors as ours are cracked and we have an aft cabin so the doors and "bent" to allow access making them difficult to get from a standard supplier

We have 275 ford sabre so if anyone has info or can let us have a copy of the manual for these - that would be great

All the info I have is from the short article in an old MBM and I know the hull was lenghtend from the 38 by John Bennett

Many thanks /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Cl

 

[andy_wilson]

Fred Booker is a building contractor based at Dodworth near Barnsley (pronounced 'Doderth'), six miles from my home.

He employed a team of excellent finishing joiners and moved into finishing hulls, turning out the Humber range of models during the '80's I guess. I think it started as bit of a part time 'hobby' to keep the lads working between building developments.

The hulls were a good design by John Bennett, the lay-up substantial, the styling of the top sides fairly timless (until all these daft tear-drop windows came along), and the packages performed well and stood up to scrutiny.

Fred Bookers still exists and is run by son Peter.

I pass by almost every day, and though they haven't turned out motor yachts for some years, I always found it a rather ironic juxtaposition, that £100,000 + motor yachts were being built exactly opposite the pit-head of Dodworth colliery (now also long since gone).

You could always give them a call, I understand they may still have some parts, or may be able to assist in some way. Peter likes to talk about boats!

Like most, he is hard to track down, and the office won't have a clue about boats or parts now. If you have difficulty making contact PM me, I have his mobile number.

F Booker Builders & Contractors Ltd
Fall Bank House, Fall Bank Ind Est, Dodworth, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S75 3LS
Tel: 01226 288388

 

[goochie]

Erm, where you on the MBM Holland cruise this summer by any chance?

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Might be worth dropping an e-mail to David Marsh at MBY to see whether he has any contacts for Booker info because he designed the Humber 45 for Booker

 

[oldgit]

Just to mention we have a Humber 40 down here on the Medway,have always admired her smooth lines.

 

[miket]

A past contributor to this site, ChisP, used to, and may still, own a Humber around 40 feet, and being a practical chap may be able to help with questions.
He keeps/ kept his boat at Brighton.
They certainly had a good reputation when new, as solid boats with excellent sea keeping.

 

[jeni]

Hi All

Thanks for your replys will be writing to Peter as we have several friends with Humbers and they all want to know about their boats

The MBM holland run I think was Socerer of Dart (who are moored at shamrock on the hard for the winter) we met them recently

If anyone wants to join the Humber Club (there are four boats with 2 about to join) please contact the club on

07971 878137 and leave a message with your details

Thanks again and to Andy may call you for the no for peter

Regards

 

[michael fesler]

i have just purchased a Humber 448, an altogether excellent boat. I wonder of there are any owner's manuals still kicking around anywhere?

 

[volvopaul]

A word on the sabre engines , parts getting scarce in the piston dept.
great boats though ,he needs to buy at he right price to factor in the day the engines need replacement .